a handsome Highlander lying on a chair

Introducing the Highlander

Find out everything you need to know about the Highlander: its characteristics, its behaviour, where it lives, what it eats and how it is bred.

THE HIGHLANDER

The Highlander, a wild looking cat with a big heart

A little Lynx cat climbing a tree

The Highlander is a very unusual breed of cat! Originating from the United States in the 1990's, this is a very new breed of cat, born from a cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl. This crossbreeding gives it a wild look, but at heart this is a very affectionate and loving cat. Very cuddly and playful, this canine cat would make anyone happy!

HIGHLANDER FACT FILE

This section outlines the unique features of the Highlander breed of cat.

Size

The Highlander is a strong, muscular cat. It is medium-sized, measuring up to 15,5 inches. It weighs between 11 and 20 pounds.

Coat length

The Highlander has a short to medium length coat that is fairly thick. Regular brushing is recommended.

Allergies

The Highlander is not a hypoallergenic cat breed. This breed is not recommended if you suffer from allergies.

Coat colour

The coat of the Highlander comes in a variety of colours: black, silver, blue, red, tabby, brown, etc.

Living environment

The Highlander is an easy-going cat that will adapt to any lifestyle! It likes its home comforts but still needs to spend time outdoors.

Sociability

These cats are the ultimate best friends! The Highlander is a sociable creature that gets along with anyone, humans and animals alike.

Health

Highlander cats are often compared to dogs! It is a gentle, obedient and highly intelligent breed that will happily fetch you a ball.

Training

Highlander cats are often compared to dogs! It is a gentle, obedient and highly intelligent breed that will happily fetch you a ball.

woman with cat on knees

Too difficult to choose the right cat breed?

We can help you!

Every cat has its own character and specific needs. Making the right choice will ensure his well-being and yours.

Thanks to our quiz, you'll know which breed is right for you, depending on your lifestyle, expectations and many other criteria.

Don't wait any longer and take the quiz to find out the answer!

Take the test!
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A wildcat in your living room

The Highlander has a wild and untamed appearance like its ancestor the Lynx.

Size and weight of the Highlander

A standing Highlander cat

The Highlander is a wild-looking cat, very much like the Lynx. It is a medium-sized breed, measuring between 10 inches and 15,5 inches at the withers.

Like all cats, the males are bigger than the females. A Highlander cat weighs between 11 pounds and 15 pounds with males weighing up to 22 pounds.

The Highlander has a long growth period. They reach their full size and weight at 3 years old.

The Highlander coat

Portrait of a Highlander cat with yellow eyes

Coat length

The Highlander has quite a thick, medium-length coat. Its fur is the same length all over its body.

Unlike the Savannah, the Highlander does not have hypoallergenic fur. This means that if you are allergic to cats, it may not be the best pet for you.

A beautiful Lynx cat lying down with its collar

Coat colour

This breed of cat has a coat that comes in an impressive variety of colours: black, white, grey, brown - a Highlander can be any colour. Its coat can also have spots, stripes or marbled markings.

Some breeders prefer leopard or colourpoint coats for their "big-cat" appearance.

Their permanent colour is fully developed by the time they stop growing, around their third birthday.

Other characteristics of the Highlander

Zoom on a Highland Lynx cat with green eyes

Other physical characteristics

The Highlander has a unique, distinctive physical appearance. Its well-defined muscles and broad chest give it a big-cat gait, and its long head has a wide muzzle, a deep chin and big, expressive, oval eyes. Their eyes vary in colour and can be gold, blue or green. Its curled ears develop during the first year of its life. When Highlander kittens reach the age of 10 or 12 weeks, their ears stretch into a permanent curl.

They have big, long polydactyl paws. This phenomenon is widespread in Highlander cats, giving them more toes than most other cats!

This breed is also known for its noticeably short and thick tail, which is usually between 5 cm and 15 cm long.

A Highlander cat who opens his mouth wide

Grooming

It's important to take good care of your Highlander's coat to prevent tangles and stop dead hair and dirt from building up. Plus, this water-loving cat will actually enjoy an occasional bath!

Its curled ears call for special care. To keep earwax at bay and prevent potential infections, it's recommended to clean them regularly.

As a polydactyl cat the Highlander has more toes, which of course means more claws! It’s really important to keep these in good shape. You should think about getting some good nail clippers or scratching posts.

TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR

What is the temperament of the Highlander?

Despite its hardy appearance this is actually a very affectionate cat with a loving, sociable personality.

Highlander sociability

A Highlander lying on its back

A childlike nature

You won't find a sweeter cat than the Highlander! They are gentle, caring and very expressive. If they love you, they will show it with lots of cuddles. Their beautiful eyes and happy purring will make anyone fall in love with them!

Nonetheless, the Highlander is a very energetic and playful cat. They love to play and are always willing to play ball.

Last but not least, this a very sociable breed, enjoying the company of humans and animals alike. It is a patient cat and so perfectly suited to living in a family with children. It is a very trusting cat. When confronted with an unpleasant situation, it doesn't behave aggressively. It simply runs away to calm down elsewhere.

A Highlander lying in fallen leaves

A canine cat

The Highlander is known for its dog-like nature. This breed of cat is particularly loyal and responsive to its owner.

When you come home, they'll show you how much they've missed you by throwing you a personal party! The Highlander also tends to be clingy and will follow you wherever you go.

The Highlander's living environment

Focus on a Highlander with yellow eyes

Home comforts

The Highlander is an easy-going cat that adapts easily to any environment. It will happily live in the city, the country, a huge house or a tiny flat. The Highlander enjoys its home comforts. They need to feel safe and comfy, with space to play and relax.

The thrill of the outdoors

The Highlander is a curious cat who loves to discover new things and explore unfamiliar places. Going outside is an absolute must for their development, and if you're worried about them running away or being stolen, you can use a GPS tracker. They are also very sociable cats who love to meet new people and hang out with their fellow cats. So, feel free to take your Highlander to the park, to events, or to visit friends and family with pets to help them make new friends!

Training the Highlander

Portrait of a Highlander cat

There's a very good reason why the Highlander is known as the canine cat! Their exceptional intelligence and listening skills make them very obedient and compliant cats. They have a huge capacity for learning and a fantastic memory, allowing their owners to not just train them but even teach them a whole host of tricks!

breed cat2 new

Which cat breed is right for you?

Choosing a cat that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!

Take the test to find out!
HEALTH & NUTRITION

How to take care of the Highlander?

The Highlander is a sturdy cat and is generally very healthy.

Health of the Highlander

Portrait of a highland lynx

The Highlander is a recent breed of cat, first introduced about 30 years ago. So far, no genetic predispositions have been identified.

It may suffer from urinary tract infections though and can develop idiopathic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) or possibly chronic feline gingivo-stomatitis, an inflammatory condition of the gums and mouth.

Finally, to protect your Highlander from common diseases, you should take it to a vet for vaccinations against Feline infectious enteritis (FIE), Cat Flu, and Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).

Its life expectancy is between 12 and 16 years.

Feeding the Highlander

A Highland Lynx lying paws forward

Nutrition

The Highlander is a big cat with an appetite to match. It's important to keep an eye on not just the quality of their food, but also the quantity so they don't become overweight. Choose high-quality kibble based on natural ingredients. You can also give a little wet food as it has a high water content.

The Highlander takes an average of 3 years to grow to its full size. With this in mind, it's particularly important to feed them the right diet for their age and requirements. Those big strong muscles won't grow on their own! This carnivore will readily eat protein rich chicken, either raw or cooked.

A water-loving cat!

The Highlander is a breed of cat that is particularly fond of water, and drinks much more than other cats. Remember to always provide them with fresh water.

BREEDING OR ADOPTION & COST

What does a Highlander cost?

The Highlander is an unusual cat breed and quite rare in France. They are quite expensive.

How to choose your Highlander

A Highlander lying on a wooden fence

Finding the right breeder

If you want to adopt a Highlander, we recommend that you go to a reputable cattery or a professional breeder. You can go and meet the breeders and the cats, as well as seeing their environment and their living conditions.

You should also check that both the kittens and the parents are up to date with their health checks. It's important to have the parents’ complete health history.

Lastly, mandatory electronic identification, like microchipping, is not always mandated at the federal level in the United States for cats and dogs. But microchipping is widely acknowledged as a successful way to permanently identify pets and increase the possibility of reuniting lost pets with their owners, even in the absence of universal regulations. As a pet owner, it is advised to inform yourself about municipal laws to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your pet.

A beautiful Highlander kitten lying on a blanket

The price of a Highlander

The Highlander is a sought-after and very unusual breed of cat. Depending on its parentage or appearance, the price of a kitten varies between

and

.

An adult Highlander is slightly cheaper. They usually cost between

and

.

Before you adopt a Highlander, you also need to take into account the price of regular care (worming, vaccinations, etc.) as well as the monthly cost of feeding and looking after your cat. To look after your cat properly you should budget for around

to

a year.

Taking on a pet is a big responsibility and it's a decision that needs to be given careful consideration. A cat like a Highlander will be with you for about fifteen years. You have to understand that to give them a happy and loving forever home!

Need help choosing your cat's breed?

Which cat breed is right for you?

Take the test to find out!

Choosing a cat that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!